FOOD IS MEDICINE SERIES : ENERGY
we truly believe that food is medicine here at Femme Royale and we wanted to get into the nitty gritty of just how true that can be! we’re working on a mini-series to identify different ways we can utilize foods for medicinal purposes and we’re continuing the series with how our body takes our food and turns it into energy! because, as we always say FOOD IS FUEL!
so we’ll start off with how this can effect us and then dive into the nitty gritty science of it all!
our bodies need energy to do everything, from the simple act of breathing to the complex processes of thinking and moving—and this energy comes from the food we eat.
while food is essential for providing us with energy, not all foods are created equal. eating too much food or consuming a diet high in sugar, starch, or processed foods can lead to a process called oxidation or rusting. this process is similar to what happens when an apple turns brown or when nuts go rancid.
oxidation occurs when molecules in our body lose electrons, creating unstable molecules called free radicals. these free radicals can damage cells, proteins, and DNA, leading to oxidative stress. oxidative stress is thought to play a role in aging, cancer, and other diseases.
and! when we eat too much food or consume a diet high in sugar, starch, or processed foods, our body produces more free radicals than it can handle. this leads to an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, which are molecules that neutralize free radicals.
this imbalance can lead to chronic inflammation, which is thought to be a driver of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. inflammation is the body's natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can damage tissues and organs over time.
furthermore, a diet high in sugar, starch, or processed foods can also contribute to insulin resistance, a condition where cells in the body become less responsive to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. this can lead to high blood sugar levels and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
in conclusion, while food is essential for providing us with energy, we need to be mindful of the quality and quantity of the food we consume. eating a diet high in sugar, starch, or processed foods can lead to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can provide us with the nutrients and energy we need while also promoting overall health and well-being.
the science behind it all
when we eat, our body absorbs glucose, which is a type of sugar found in many foods. once inside the cell, glucose goes through a series of chemical reactions to produce ATP, which is essentially the energy currency of our cells.
so, imagine ATP as the little coin in your pocket that you can use to buy stuff. In the same way, our cells use ATP to carry out various functions. when ATP is formed, it contains high-energy bonds that can be broken to release energy.
the process of making ATP from glucose is called cellular respiration, and it happens in three main stages: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain. don't worry; we won't get too technical here.
in the first stage, glycolysis, glucose is broken down into two smaller molecules called pyruvate. this process produces a small amount of ATP and some molecules called NADH.
the second stage, the Krebs cycle, happens in the mitochondria of the cell. pyruvate is broken down further into carbon dioxide, and more NADH and ATP are produced.
finally, in the last stage, the electron transport chain, NADH is used to generate more ATP. the electrons from NADH are passed along a chain of proteins, releasing energy that is used to pump protons (H+) across the mitochondrial membrane. this creates a concentration gradient of H+ that is used to produce ATP via a process called oxidative phosphorylation.
in simpler terms, the food we eat is broken down into glucose, which is then transformed into ATP, the energy source of our cells. this is possible through a series of chemical reactions that occur in different stages, ultimately producing the energy we need to live our lives.
understanding this process is vital in appreciating the importance of a healthy diet in maintaining our overall health and well-being. so, next time you eat something, remember that you're not just satisfying your hunger, but you're also fueling your body with energy!